When three separate threats of violence disrupted Franklin Elementary School in recent weeks, Wausau school officials faced the challenge of acting fast without spreading fear — a balance that’s hard to strike in any district.
The first of the school threats came in the opening weeks of the school year, followed by two more in quick succession. Each prompted immediate coordination with law enforcement and internal safety teams.
In a conversation on WPR’s “Morning Edition,” Superintendent Cale Bushman said such situations are among the most challenging a school system can face because administrators must balance transparency with accuracy and sensitivity. When threats do emerge, district officials work with police to evaluate each case based on age, intent and context to determine next steps…